Are Daily Disposable and Monthly Contact Lenses Better?
Today, many contact lens wearers are switching from monthly replacement or two-week replacement contact lenses to daily disposable contact lenses. There are many factors that go into deciding on what type of contact lens is the best option for you.
Difference Between Daily Disposable and Monthly Contact Lenses
A daily disposable contact lens is designed to be opened at the beginning of the day, worn throughout the day, and then disposed of at the end of the day when the contact lenses are taken out.
A monthly replacement contact lens is different because the contact lens is designed to be worn every day for approximately thirty days, but the contact lens should be removed and stored in a case before sleeping.
Daily contact lenses are thinner and allow more oxygen to reach the eye because the contact lens does not have to be as durable.
Monthly replacement contact lenses are thicker and easier to handle and insert or remove from the eye. Since the contact lens is designed to be worn for a longer period, the contact is more resistant to force and therefore less likely to tear when inserting or removing.
Below there are several examples of when daily disposable or monthly replacement contact lenses may be the best option.
Wearing Contact Lenses for Exercise Only
If you only wear your contact lenses for a specific activity or event, such as when you exercise, play a sport, or know that you will be having pictures made, it is considered to be intermittent wear.
For those wishing to wear contact lenses only intermittently, it is important to have a pair of glasses which is up to date.
In these instances, it is important to track how long a pair of contact lenses has been opened, rather than how many times they have been worn.
Best Option: Daily Disposable Contact Lenses
Daily disposable contact lenses are the best option for this case as the lenses can be stored in the original packaging and you do not have to worry about how long or safe your monthly contact lenses have been out.
Struggling to Remove Contact Lenses from the Eye
If you struggle to take out your contact lenses, it is important to consult with your eye doctor as there may be an underlying problem with your eyes or the contacts.
However, if the issue is simply that the lenses are too flimsy for you to remove or insert comfortably it can be improved with a change of contact lenses.
Monthly Replacement Contact Lenses
The monthly replacement lenses are typically the easiest to handle and therefore the best option for anyone struggling with putting in or taking out the contact lenses.
Itching or Burning Eyes with Contact Lenses
Wearing contact lenses should not cause any pain or discomfort. If there is itching, burning, or dryness, it may be a sign of an allergic reaction, an infection, or that your eyes are severely dry.
To minimize any risk of eye problems the optimal contact lens should be used.
Daily Disposable Contact Lenses
Daily contact lenses are the best option if there is a history of infection or allergies or if the current contact lenses are causing problems.
Since the contact lenses are replaced each day, there is no buildup on the lenses and the risk of infection, or an allergic reaction will decrease significantly.
How to Choose the Best Contact Lens Type For You
When deciding on contact lenses for the first time or simply considering changing from your current type of contact lenses, be sure to talk with your eye doctor about all of your needs, problems, and what you plan to do with the lenses.
Your doctor is trained to make the best recommendation possible and will be able to help you select the appropriate type of contact lenses.
Our eye doctors at GHEye excel in prescription of glasses, contact lenses and the diagnosis of a variety of eye diseases. Call our optometrists at (571) 445-3692 to schedule your appointment today to discuss our daily contact and monthly contact options. Our eye doctors, Dr. Ally Stoeger and Dr. Jennifer Sun provide the highest quality optometry services and eye exams in the Gainesville VA and Haymarket VA areas.
Today, many contact lens wearers are switching from monthly replacement or two-week replacement contact lenses to daily disposable contact lenses. There are many factors that go into deciding on what type of contact lens is the best option for you.
Difference Between Daily Disposable and Monthly Contact Lenses
A daily disposable contact lens is designed to be opened at the beginning of the day, worn throughout the day, and then disposed of at the end of the day when the contact lenses are taken out.
A monthly replacement contact lens is different because the contact lens is designed to be worn every day for approximately thirty days, but the contact lens should be removed and stored in a case before sleeping.
Daily contact lenses are thinner and allow more oxygen to reach the eye because the contact lens does not have to be as durable.
Monthly replacement contact lenses are thicker and easier to handle and insert or remove from the eye. Since the contact lens is designed to be worn for a longer period, the contact is more resistant to force and therefore less likely to tear when inserting or removing.
Below there are several examples of when daily disposable or monthly replacement contact lenses may be the best option.
Wearing Contact Lenses for Exercise Only
If you only wear your contact lenses for a specific activity or event, such as when you exercise, play a sport, or know that you will be having pictures made, it is considered to be intermittent wear.
For those wishing to wear contact lenses only intermittently, it is important to have a pair of glasses which is up to date.
In these instances, it is important to track how long a pair of contact lenses has been opened, rather than how many times they have been worn.
Best Option: Daily Disposable Contact Lenses
Daily disposable contact lenses are the best option for this case as the lenses can be stored in the original packaging and you do not have to worry about how long or safe your monthly contact lenses have been out.
Struggling to Remove Contact Lenses from the Eye
If you struggle to take out your contact lenses, it is important to consult with your eye doctor as there may be an underlying problem with your eyes or the contacts.
However, if the issue is simply that the lenses are too flimsy for you to remove or insert comfortably it can be improved with a change of contact lenses.
Monthly Replacement Contact Lenses
The monthly replacement lenses are typically the easiest to handle and therefore the best option for anyone struggling with putting in or taking out the contact lenses.
Itching or Burning Eyes with Contact Lenses
Wearing contact lenses should not cause any pain or discomfort. If there is itching, burning, or dryness, it may be a sign of an allergic reaction, an infection, or that your eyes are severely dry.
To minimize any risk of eye problems the optimal contact lens should be used.
Daily Disposable Contact Lenses
Daily contact lenses are the best option if there is a history of infection or allergies or if the current contact lenses are causing problems.
Since the contact lenses are replaced each day, there is no buildup on the lenses and the risk of infection, or an allergic reaction will decrease significantly.
How to Choose the Best Contact Lens Type For You
When deciding on contact lenses for the first time or simply considering changing from your current type of contact lenses, be sure to talk with your eye doctor about all of your needs, problems, and what you plan to do with the lenses.
Your doctor is trained to make the best recommendation possible and will be able to help you select the appropriate type of contact lenses.